School-Themed Wedding Ideas

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Our first stop: Hart House at the University of Toronto, a fabulous venue for a school-themed wedding. Resembling a little plot of Oxford, Cambridge or Hogwarts, Hart House is ideal for couples more inspired by roaring fireplaces and leather-bound books than glittery banquet halls. Enoch Turner Schoolhouse is another great location for a school-themed wedding. Originally built in 1848, Enoch Turner is a bona fide member of the Ontario Heritage Trust, featuring Gothic-style windows, exposed beams and tons of Victorian charm.

Wherever the location, educators can draw inspiration from the classroom, cafeteria, even playground to create a unique celebration reflective of their vocation. One of the best places to score clever, school-themed wedding decor, jewellery and general supplies is Etsy (we’ve included some of our favourites below). Not only can you find some great stuff but everything is handmade by independent artisans, sure to lend a crafty, classroom touch to your school-themed wedding celebration.

We’ve also tracked down some adorable DIY projects (pencil push pops, anyone?) easy enough for a kindergartner to tackle.

Find someone else to cover your cafeteria shift, sit back and get ready to Pin, bookmark and enjoy a ton of fun ideas for your school-themed wedding!

<b>Location</b><br />
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Canada's very own Hogwarts, Hart House at the University of Toronto is complete with ancient stone classrooms, a dramatic bell tower and massive quad where you'd half expect to spot a philosopher shuffling to class with an armful of books (and possibly a cloak).<br />
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Learn more about weddings at Hart House <a href="http://www.weddingbells.ca/blogs/tag/hart-house/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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See Real Weddings at Hart House <a href="http://www.weddingbells.ca/articles/slideshow/sunday-brunch/0/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.weddingbells.ca/blogs/real-weddings/2012/09/03/an-elegant-wedding-in-toronto-ontario/" target="_blank">here</a>.

<b>Bouquet Charm</b><br />
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This vintage brass heart and book necklace by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62352693/bell-jar-book-locket-necklacevintage" target="_blank">Pumpkin Seed Jewelry</a> is practically begging to be tied to a teacher's bouquet. The book can even be customized with an inscription of your choice.

<b>Geode Necklace</b><br />
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No one will be skipping science class with these gorgeous geodes from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/106813748/1pc-geode-agate-necklace-pendant-24k">Ingredients for Lovely</a>. Perfect for bridesmaids' gifts or even the bride herself!

<b>Photo Props</b><br />
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Giant ampersands -- like this one from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/84736343/red-wooden-ampersand-9-inch" target="_new">banished</a> -- stand out among their peers as the perfect photo props.

<b>Banner</b><br />
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Put your charm school classes to good use with a banner from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92080836/thank-you-banner-wedding-banner-wedding" target="_blank">Creative Butterfly XOX</a>. Miss Manners would be so proud!

<b>Decor</b><br />
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A custom piece from <a href="http://www.customchalk.com" target="_blank">CustomChalk.com</a> will not only wow your guests but make a jaw-dropping addition to your wall space after the wedding.

<b>Guestbook</b><br />
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Since you probably have enough books on your shelf already, why not substitute the traditional guestbook with a poster which you can proudly hang next to your teaching diploma after the wedding? This playful paper airplane print from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/103789170/customizable-paper-airplane-personalized" target="_blank">Mod Genes Designs</a> can be customized with your name and wedding date and is perfect for guests to sign!

<b>Library Card Labels</b><br />
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Multi-coloured library cards from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62068309/50-assorted-library-cards" target="_blank">Knot and Bow</a> could be used as adorable labels for a dessert bar or buffet.

<b>Cake Label</b><br />
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One of our favourite finds, these cake labels from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89633167/the-cake-label-customizable-cake-topper" target="_blank">Potter and Butler</a> look like they were culled from a drawer of shiny school supplies. Perfect for displaying flavours on a multi-tiered wedding cake!

<b>Bar Sign</b><br />
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Who says a school-themed wedding has to be for kids? This Ernest Hemingway postcard from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/104929786/postcard-ernest-hemingway-quote-write" target="_blank">Literary Emporium</a> would make a cheeky bar sign.

<b>School Supply Favours</b><br />
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Fresh school supplies are always a treat, even if they're inedible (despite the general consensus among your kindergarten class). Take cue from the masterminds at <a href="http://onecharmingparty.com/2011/08/08/back-to-school-party-2/" target="_blank">One Charming Party</a> by using cake pedestals, candy jars and wrappers to display some sweet back-to-school swag for your guests to stash as wedding favours.

<b>Pencil Favours</b><br />
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These super sweet pencils from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62722740/me-you-pencils-gold-engraved-natural" target="_blank">Knot and Bow</a> will make your guests grin from ear to ear. For a meaningful gesture, also consider donating to <a href="http://www.pencilsforkids.com/" target="_blank">Pencils for Kids</a>, a Canadian charity providing desperately-needed school supplies for communities in Niger.

<b>Pencil Pushers</b><br />
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While these "pencil pushers" may <i>look</i> like a novelty treat from an insanely expensive bakery, they're actually DIY! Check out the tutorial on <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/pencil-pushers/" target="_blank">Bakerella</a>. (If you want to send us a few afterwards, we won't complain!) Just tie a ribbon around each one and you've got an unbelievably adorable favour.

<b>Music</b><br />
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"Under the Umbrella" (Thomas Newman) from <i>Little Women</i> is an exceptional score on its own, but even more fitting for a teacher's wedding due to its placement in the film. Jo March and Professor Bhaer, both teachers themselves, get engaged under an umbrella, after discussing their plans to open a school together.<br />
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Listen to the piece <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_MGoR45mXA" target="_blank">here</a>.